Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has come under severe criticism from a prominent Sunday newspaper today for his reluctance to engage with mainstream media officials. If that is a concern then take heed of an even more amplified looming threat where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is on the threshold of suspending Sri Lanka’s National Olympic Committee (NOCSL), while the Minister seemingly does little to avert the crisis.
Information reaching our Sports Desk suggests that Minister Gamage remains largely misled and uninformed about the ongoing issues within the NOCSL mainly due to the influence wielded by the current National Shooting Sports Federation President Shirantha Peries, the appointed Chairman of the Lotus Tower by the National People’s Power (NPP) government together with Nishantha Piyasena (Cycling Federation) and Kapila Jeewantha (National Gymnastics Association), who continues to misdirect him. The trio was said to have met Sports Minister Gamage in a personal capacity recently.
Meanwhile, NSSF President Shirantha Peries whilst cozying up to Minister Gamage is reportedly also tied to a resurfacing case from 2018 involving the illegal importation and private sale of weapons and ammunition, a matter that was initiated to be investigated by the Ministry of Defence along and the Ministry of Sports but was subsequently later hushed up. The NSSF President Peries’ support for the NPP during the election is now deemed widely as a strategic move to seek protection from being exposed. The strategy has worked for him for now as he not only achieved the much needed protection, but was also further rewarded with a handsome appointment as Chairman of the Lotus Tower soon after the party’s victory. Perhaps the ruling NPP political party were unaware of his previous deeds as this does not augur too well towards the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative and campaign that the current ruling regime plans to conduct soon.
In the interim, the central issue drawing the IOC’s ire involves the refusal of NOCSL Secretary General Maxwell De Silva to accept a suspension imposed by its own appointed Ethics Committee. Despite this, Shirantha Peries and a majority of NOCSL Executive Committee members, some facing allegations of embezzlement and or violations of national sports law have reportedly continued to shield De Silva. Their actions risk not only tarnishing the reputation of the country but also jeopardizing Sri Lanka’s future participation in international sporting events if a full IOC suspension takes place.
This is where the Minister of Sports Gamage needs to be made aware, as any suspension would certainly dent his and the ruling NPP party’s reputation if it happens during their watch.
NOCSL in Crisis: Corruption, Manipulation, and the Urgent Call for Reform
The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) finds itself in deep turmoil, burdened by serious allegations of corruption, failures in governance, and overt manipulation. At the center of this storm is Secretary General Maxwell de Silva, whose tenure has been fraught with ethical breaches, accusations of financial misconduct, and mounting demands for his suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the NOCSL’s own Ethics Committee. Nevertheless, De Silva continues to cling to his post, placing the future of Sri Lankan sports at significant risk.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Governance Failures
An audit endorsed by the NOCSL Ethics Committee paints a troubling picture of misuse of resources, noting, for instance, that exercise bikes belonging to the organization were reportedly delivered to De Silva’s private residence. This same audit reveals deeper issues of financial mismanagement and calls for further investigation by state authorities. The inaction following these findings has only magnified the current crisis.
Compounding concerns is De Silva’s questionable sporting background. Critics argue that he lacks the necessary credentials and genuine dedication to foster the development of Sri Lankan sports—leading many to suspect he may have motives other than promoting athletic excellence.
International Intervention and Funding Cuts
Alarmed by the turmoil, both the IOC and the OCA have demanded De Silva’s immediate suspension. In response, the IOC has already halted financial support to the NOCSL, cutting off an initial sum of USD 250,000. Should this standoff persist, the repercussions could escalate into a full suspension of the NOCSL, effectively barring Sri Lankan athletes and sports federations from global competition.
Meanwhile, the Executive Committee appears sharply divided, with a faction allegedly aligned with De Silva resisting moves toward transparency and ethical oversight. Observers fear that any attempt to dismiss or replace the current Ethics Committee could be a direct violation of the IOC Charter—an infraction that carries the potential for severe sanctions.
Attempts to Evade Accountability
Multiple allegations have surfaced, ranging from falsified documents to improper use of per diem allowances, in direct violation of the NOCSL Constitution. The Ethics Committee’s independent inquiry resulted in a comprehensive report listing numerous governance breakdowns and urging further official probes. Its findings emphasize that those under scrutiny should step aside to ensure impartiality. However, foot-dragging in acting on these recommendations has eroded the public’s trust.
In a move seen by some as an effort to sidestep looming inquiries, the NOCSL has announced snap elections for early this year. Insiders claim that this maneuver includes replacing the Ethics Committee with a newly formed body tasked with exonerating those implicated. Such manipulation stands in stark contrast to international standards of accountability and transparency.
A History of Lax Oversight
NOCSL’s current woes did not materialize overnight. Prior to 2018, the organization functioned with minimal financial oversight, creating an environment where alleged corruption and mismanagement could flourish unchecked. A comprehensive audit initiated under President Suresh Subramaniam, who took office in 2018 revealed glaring irregularities spanning an entire decade.
However, what baffled many just last week was when a former NOCSL official Rohan Fernando was quoted in a maintream newspaper complaining about much fraudulently happenings taking place within the NOCSL and his willingness to come forward and expose same, when strangely he himself happened to be the Chairman Finance during that period.
Meanwhile, although the Ministry of Sports has expressed concern over the NOCSL’s situation, a decisive intervention remains elusive.
The Wider Impact
The stakes are high: an extended crisis could leave thousands of athletes in limbo and tarnish the nation’s reputation in the sports world. In the event of a full-scale IOC suspension, 32 sports associations and over a thousand athletes would face exclusion from international competitions. The IOC has previously shown it is fully prepared to act, having suspended influential figures in Kuwait even winning legal challenges before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If such actions can be taken against a wealthier nation, Sri Lanka is certainly not exempt.
A Call for Urgent Reform
At this pivotal moment, Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage must make a crucial decision, either swiftly enforce national sports laws taking all necessary steps to hold those responsible to account or risk presiding over a complete breakdown of Sri Lanka’s international sports credibility.
The crisis is not just about one individual; it is about an entrenched system that allows unethical behavior to persist. Restoring integrity and trust will require collaboration among ethical members of the NOCSL, the Ministry of Sports, and international stakeholders, including the IOC and OCA. Core principles of transparency, ethical governance, and a true commitment to sporting excellence must guide all future efforts.
With Sri Lanka’s entire sporting future hanging in the balance, decisive, far-reaching reform is critical. Any delay or half-hearted measure risks further alienation from the global sports community and a disastrous loss of opportunity for the nation’s athletes. The question now is whether the leadership will embrace this chance to safeguard the integrity of Sri Lankan sports, or allow a few self-serving individuals to undermine years of athletic promise.
Maxwell de Silva, is a serial fraudster who was sacked for serious fraud while working at Ceylon shipping corporation in the 1980’s, doesn’t the IOC check the background prior to engagement? No punishment was given by the then UNP government,as he was the JSS representative in the CSC. he’s notorious for many crooked deals carried out during his tenure at CSC.
Sports minister has become a stooge of fraudersters and manipulators of the sports mafia.He is like Rusputian playing the violin when Rome is on fire.We see he hangs around with spoil sports like the 3 musketeers who have manipulated the sport law and hiding behind curtain of wheeler dealings.The minister have become a scape goat. The big time fraudsters can be exposed if he gets their past records investigated Mr.Minister sports is a holy bible and played to the rules destinguished by clarity and ethics .You have come to power by singing hosana for a rightious society thus you have a to associate with people who have a proven good track record . You are the leader of sports and should showcase that you have mustered the support of gentlemen in sports , literally you should be aware what will happen if a drop of dung is put into a pot of milk. Hence, be carefull not to defame your self respect by associating spoil sports who have milked the essence of sports for their personal wellbeing.